Cllr. O’Connell’s Logical Explanation for Tonight’s Prime Time Questions on Expenses

Cllr. Bobby O’Connell is one of those whose expenses came to the attention of the programme investigators. ©Photograph: John Reidy

“Records from every local authority in Ireland reveal that many local councillors wrongly claimed double expenses,” according to a preamble to tonight’s Prime Time Investigates.

The programme looks at all expense accounts in local authority files in the country and came up with dates, figures, times and venues which don’t stand up to this kind of scrutiny.

Long standing Castleisland member of Kerry County Council, Cllr. Bobby O’Connell, Fine Gael, is one of those whose expenses came to the attention of the programme investigators.

However, Cllr. O’Connell said this evening that he has a logical explanation for the case that was put to him in the making of tonight’s programme.

“I had a perfect explanation for what they put to me and to be honest with you I think it’s a witch hunt and this all happened nearly seven years ago.

Cllr. O’Connell doesn’t believe that the programme’s findings will damage him politically – “but that’s not for me to judge,” he said.

Watch RTÉ Investigates: Claims, Planes and Automobiles on Prime Time tonight at 9:35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Or if you prefer a good read, Click on the link here: https://www.rte.ie/news/investigations-unit/2021/0713/1234871-local-councillors-expenses/

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